Groundhog Day: Back to the Office (and Possibly the Stew Pot)

Groundhog Day is here again, that magical little blip on the calendar where we all collectively look to a chubby rodent in Pennsylvania to decide how winter—and honestly our moods—are going to shake out.

Normally, I’d be watching Punxsutawney Phil with one eye open, coffee in hand, rooting for him not to see his shadow like it’s the Super Bowl of seasonal predictions. But this year is different. Today also marks my return to the office, which means no live Phil sightings for me. No top hats. No crowd chanting. Just emails, meetings, and the faint hum of fluorescent lights.

Still, I’m holding out hope.

If Phil doesn’t see his shadow, I’ll take it as a personal win. Early spring! Longer days! Less scraping ice off the windshield before work! A perfect omen for easing back into the daily grind.

But… if Phil does see his shadow?
Well then, winter drags on—and desperate times call for desperate measures.

Which brings me to this very important contingency plan:

“Groundhog” Stew (Shadow Emergency Edition)

(Groundhog in spirit only—feel free to substitute chicken, beef, or whatever you actually find at the grocery store 😄)

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs stewing meat (chicken thighs or beef chuck work great)

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 3 carrots, sliced

• 3 potatoes, cubed

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 4 cups broth (chicken or beef)

• 1 cup diced tomatoes

• 1 tsp thyme

• 1 tsp paprika

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Optional: a splash of red wine for warmth and wisdom

Instructions:

1. Brown the meat in a large pot until it looks like it knows winter means business.

2. Add onions and garlic, cooking until fragrant and cozy.

3. Toss in carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, broth, and seasonings.

4. Simmer low and slow for 1½–2 hours, until tender and comforting.

5. Serve hot, preferably while muttering about six more weeks of winter.

Whether Phil sees his shadow or not, Groundhog Day always delivers the same reminder: some days repeat, winter can feel endless, and sometimes all you can do is laugh, show up to work, and keep a stew recipe handy—just in case.

Here’s hoping Phil made the right call… and that spring clocks in earlier than I did today. 🐿️❄️🌱